Jamaal, a student at Macmillan Academy in MIddlesbrough, said: “My dad was brilliant. He was a friend as well as my dad, he was a right laugh.

“He was very weak in the last stages but he was still smiling and laughing and capturing everyone’s heart.

“He fought until the end and he was still very positive.”

He added that Nazir’s last few months were spent at the hospice and that the staff treated him with “respect” and “outstanding care.”

After his dad’s passing, Jamaal decided to set up a JustGiving donation page to thank the hospice for their compassionate care.

He said: “I started the donation page to allow people to sponsor me. I cut my hair very short in the name of charity.

“My dad would never walk past the mirror without taking a second look. His hair had to be perfect.

Jamaal Ali, 14, with his dad Nazim, 39, who died on March 3 after a short battle with bowel cancer

“Just like my dad, after seeing him and how particular he was, I am now the same.”

Jamaal hoped to raise a target of £100 but after an overwhelming flood of donations, he changed the amount to £1000, which has been surpassed and reached £1,715.50. He is also aiming to reach £1,500 in cash donations.

Jamaal’s mum Nusrati Ali, 40, said: “My husband was a very kind and caring person. He had great family values and would always give more than receive.

“He battled the cancer until the very end. Every visitor he had was just amazed at how well he was handling it.”

She added: “He always spoke about wanting to help others and one of his ambitions was to go to a Third World country and set up some sort of foundation or charity.

“He was just a loving husband and dad.”

Jamaal Ali having his head shaved at Gentz hair on Roman Road, Linthorpe with stylist Faisal Javed

Teesside Hospice Chief Executive Maureen Thompson said “We are so proud to have cared for Nazim Ali and support his family during this very difficult time.

“It is incredible that his son Jamaal has now raised over £1,500 for the hospice in memory of his dad.

“The hospice needs to raise approximately £5,200 each and every day of the year, so the money raised by Jamaal is going to help make a huge difference to other local families like his in the future”.

Donations can be made to the JustGiving page: Jamaal’s Raising Money For Teesside Hospice.